Module 7 National Incident Management System: Compliance Activities for Hospitals and Healthcare Organizations

Module 7: Objectives Define the National Incident Management System (NIMS) Discuss the purpose of NIMS Describe the role of the NIMS Integration Center (NIC) Understand the 17 elements found in the compliance guidance for hospitals and healthcare organizations Outline how NIMS education can be obtained

Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD-5 ) (1) Management of domestic incidents Directed the Department of Homeland Security to develop and administer NIMS A consistent nationwide template Federal, state, local and tribal governments Private sector Nongovernmental organizations Applicable across “all hazards” of all size and complexity Improve coordination and cooperation

Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD-5 ) (2) Management of Domestic Incidents Requires all Federal departments and agencies to adopt NIMS State and local organizations must adopt NIMS as a condition of Federal preparedness assistance (FY 2005)

NIMS Incident Management Structure Establishes framework for: Incident Command System (ICS) Multi-Agency Coordination System (MACS) Public Information System (PIS)

NIMS Integration Center (NIC) Division of the Department of Homeland Security Has five operating branches Role of the NIC: Coordinate development, revision and distribution of NIMS information Facilitate development of NIMS materials Develop national standards, guidelines and protocols for Incident Management training and exercises Collaborates with the Emergency Management Institute to present training and education courses

NIMS Implementation Activities for Hospitals Similar to expectations placed on government agencies Consists of seven categories and seventeen elements The Hospital Emergency Incident Command System-Version IV (HEICS IV) incorporates NIMS terminology, principles and practices

Category I. Organization Adoption Element 1 - Adoption of NIMS at all organizational levels Implementation Guidance Plan for full implementation A “Phased in approach” National Bioterrorism Hospital Preparedness Program (BHPP) outlines implementation elements

Category II. Command and Management (1) Element 2 - Manage incidents in accordance with the Incident Command System Incident Action Planning Communication Planning Element 3 - Multi-Agency Coordination (MAC) Integrate with Local Emergency Operations Centers (EOC) 911 Centers State EOCs

Category II. Command and Management (2) Element 4 - Public Information System (PIS) Timely and accurate communication through Joint Information System (JIS) and Joint Information Center (JIC)

Category III. Preparedness Planning (1) Element 5 - NIMS implementation activities tracking done annually as part of Emergency Management Program (EMP) Element 6 - Develop and implement system to coordinate preparedness funding Address local, state and federal funding Demonstrates that funding commitments are met

Category III. Preparedness Planning (2) Element 7- Revise and update plans to incorporate NIMS Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) Element 8- Participate in and promote mutual aid agreements with Private sector Governmental agencies Nongovernmental agencies

Category IV. Preparedness Training (1) Hospital personnel in a leadership role should complete Element 9: Independent Study (IS) 700 Introduction to NIMS Element 10: IS 800 Introduction to NRP Element 11: ICS 100 and 200 Introduction to ICS Basics of ICS

Category IV. Preparedness Training (2) IS 700- Introduction to NIMS Who should be trained: “Personnel likely to assume an incident command position described in the hospital’s emergency management plan” IS 100/200- Introduction to and Basic ICS “Personnel who have a direct role in emergency management, middle management, or incident management and /or emergency response”

Category IV. Preparedness Training (3) IS 800- Introduction to the National Response Plan Who should be trained: Individual(s) responsible for Emergency Management Plan The hospital makes a deliberate decision on which personnel complete which coursework Hospitals must track the training completed

Training Resources (1) Online In the classroom EMI – www.training.fema.gov/emiweb New courses forthcoming for hospital personnel Can download the information In the classroom EMI in Emmittsburg Maryland www. training.fema.gov/emiweb

Training Resources (2) Other approved or “equivalent” coursework Check with the NIC HICS training materials includes information on ICS 100 and 200, IS 700, and IS 800

Category V. Preparedness Exercises Element 12 - Incorporate NIMS into all trainings and exercises Element 13 - Participate in all hazard exercise program involving multiple partners Element 14 - Incorporate corrective actions into plans and procedures

Category VI. Resource Management Element 15 - Maintain inventory of response assets Element 16 - Resource acquisition according to relevant national standards and guidance to achieve interoperability

Category VII. Communications Element 17 - Apply standard and consistent terminology Internally With external partners Use “plain English”

NIMS “Fact Sheets” Intended to be informative and helpful in understanding the NIMS implementation activities Standardized format Element Association to NIMS Implementation guidance Implementation examples References

NIMS Value to Hospitals Promote self assessment and institutional improvement Facilitate collaboration with community response partners Improved standardization and interoperability Hospitals may already meet the NIMS elements or be in progress

Additional Resources Documents NIMS Integration Center FEMA website www.fema.gov/emergency/nims Contact FEMA at 1-800-480-2540 Press option 4 Ask for FEMA 501: National Incident Management System NIMS Integration Center www.NIMS-Integration-Center@dhs.gov Phone Number: 202-646-3850

NIMS Compliance for Hospitals: Timelines Implementation Guidance Plan for full implementation A “Phased in approach” The National Bioterrorism Hospital Preparedness Program (NBHPP) will Provide guidance on hospital implementation elements and timelines Phased in over the two federal fiscal years 2006-2007 2007-2008

Consequences of NIMS Noncompliance Will not realize the value of NIMS Improve institutional preparedness Develop a relationship with local healthcare systems and other emergency management agencies Gain further insight about training along with response capabilities (equipment and procedures) Could impact eligibility for future federal funding

Review: Module 7 Key Points NIMS implementation activities for hospitals include five categories and seventeen elements Hospitals will implement the NIMS activities in a “phased in” approach Full implementation expected over 2 years NIMS principles and elements will improve hospital Preparedness Training Exercises Response